THE VOLUME XXI NUMBER 1 WEST TEXAS JAN.

NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO www.san-angelo-diocese.org 2000 INSIDE Fulfilling Dream, Opens Great Jubilee Of The Year 2000 Annual March For By John Thavis Catholic News Service that offers salvation to all Life, p. 3 (CNS) — Fulfilling his dream to lead the church into those entering.” The pope needed to be supported on both arms as he Living The Gospel ascended the three steps to Of Life In The New the Holy Door, and at one point he began to fall back- Millennium, p. 4 ward before being steadied by an aide. “Open for me the doors Fr. Barley of justice,” he intoned before pushing on the bronze doors. Appointed New A few moments later, they Director Of were pulled open from inside and the pontiff, again sup- Vocations And Seminarians, p. 6

Bishop Opens Holy Door, Proclaims 2000 Jubilee, p. 7 Christianity’s third millennium, Pope John Paul II opened the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica and launched the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. The Christmas Eve ceremony highlighted the joy of Christ’s coming National Catholic and the universality of the modern church. An updated rite featured Asian ported by assistants, knelt in prayer string music and the flowers and fragrances of Oceania, along with tra- on the threshold. Youth Conference, ditional Latin invocations. The pope then withdrew to watch p. 12 The Mass marked the start of the busiest Christmas ever for the pope, a procession of lay faithful anoint the who also delivered a blessing “” (to the city of and the door with oils and fragrances, and world) Dec. 25 and presided over a prayer service and Holy Door open- decorate it with flowers. ing at Rome’s Basilica of St. John Lateran. He returned to the threshold with For the 79-year-old pontiff, unsteady on his feet but as firm as ever the Gospel book in his hands and, in his resolve, the few steps through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s sym- after holding it up for all to see, en- bolized an invitation for all to enter through the door of conversion. The tered the door with labored steps. door was last opened for the Holy Year that ended in 1984. Three Nigerian laymen wearing

“With joy we open the year of the great jubilee ... a year of grace and feathered headdresses blew on el-

STANDARD PRESOR TED

PERMIT NO 44 NO PERMIT true freedom, of reconciliation and peace,” the pope said. ephant-tusk horns, and the whole ba-

SAN ANGELO, TX ANGELO, SAN NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAIDPOSTAGE US The church’s main jubilee message, the pope said, was that Christ silica echoed with low notes of joy. himself is “the door of mercy and grace, always open to sinners, a door see “POPE”, page nine Pro-life Services Planned For life gift for Christ – to have at least 2,000 people present at both rallies, each one representing one year of Christianity. San Angelo, Midland “What a wonderful way to honor Christ on his birthday by offering him this pro- Knights Of Columbus To Host Mammoth Gatherings life gift, with Mary, his mother – our By Fr. Mark Woodruff vs. Wade that legalized abortion in the The San Angelo rally will begin at mother,” the Bishop wrote to the vari- Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, United States. The rallies will be held the Tom Green County courthouse on ous Knights of Columbus councils in the Odessa in Midland and San Angelo, and are Saturday, January 22nd at 10:00 a.m. Diocese. The Diocese of San Angelo is pre- being prepared by area councils of the with a prayer service and march to the The Knights of Columbus in Texas paring a pro-life gift for Christ to com- Catholic men’s organization, the Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart. and around the United States are espe- memorate the 2000th birthday of Chris- Knights of Columbus. A pro-life Mass will be celebrated there cially noted for their pro-life work and tianity. Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, in The Midland rally is planned for Fri- at about 11:00 a.m. the support of pro-life causes. They are conjunction with the Diocesan Pro-Life day evening, January 21. It will be held Bishop Pfeifer has called on all his well known for erecting monuments to Office and the Knights of Columbus, at 7:00 p.m. at the Midland Center at brother Knights throughout the Diocese the unborn in the form of tombstones VICE REQUESTED VICE have scheduled two mammoth rallies to 105 N. Main. In a recent letter, Bishop of San Angelo to make a special effort and supporting other pro-life and anti- honor the gift of life. Pfeifer explained, “This (night) is the to attend, and to invite thousands of oth- abortion efforts.

PO BOX 1829 BOX PO The rallies are scheduled to coincide eve of that tragic day when our U.S. Su- ers, both Catholic and Protestant, to take For more information, readers of the with the 27th anniversary of the infa- preme Court gave the death sentence to part in the gatherings. West Texas Angelus should contact their

DIOCESE OF SAN ANGELO SAN OF DIOCESE local Catholic parish.

SAN ANGELO TX 76902-1829 TX ANGELO SAN mous U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe the unborn.” The Bishop has set a goal for the pro- CHANGE SER CHANGE BISHOP PFEIFER True Faith Expresses Itself La Fe Verdadera Se Expresa En In Love And Service Amor Y Servicio By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, Omi Por Obispo Miguel D. Pfeifer, OMI “Anyone who says I love God and hates his brother is a liar, since a man who “Si alguno dice amo a Dios y aborrece a su hermano, es un mentiroso, pues does not love a brother that he can see cannot love God whom he has never seen.” quien no ama a su hermano, a quien ve, no puede amar a Dios a quien no ve.” [1 Jn [1 John 4:20] 4:20] It is easy to say in word that we believe in Jesus Christ, that we accept his Es fácil decir en palabra que nosotros creemos en Jesucristo, que aceptamos su Gospel, but the proof is found in how we love one another and reach out toward one Evangelio, pero la prueba está en como amamos uno al otro y en como nos ayuda- another in service. Our love, charity, is especially expressed by the way we help the mos el uno al otro en servicio. Nuestro amor, caridad, es expresada especialmente poor, the abandoned and the unloved of our society. As we stand on the threshold of segun la manera que ayudamos a los pobres, los abandonados y los no amados de the Third Millennium, as Christians we need to seriously examine how we of the nuestra sociedad. Mientras estamos en la puerta del Tercero Milenio, como Cristia- Church are reaching out to the poor and needy. nos necesitamos examinar en serio como nosotros de la Iglesia estamos ayudando Pope John Paul II during his address at Yankee Stadium in October, 1997, of- a los pobres y necesitados. fered the following challenge: “The poor of the United States and of the world are EI Papa Juan Pablo II durante su discurso en el Estadio de los Yankees en Octu- your brothers and sisters in Christ. You must never be content to leave them just the bre, 1997, ofreció el siguiente desafio: “Los pobres de los Estados Unidos y del crumbs from the feast. You must take of your substance and not just of your abun- mundo son sus hermanos y hermanas en Cristo. Nunca deben estar contento en dance in order to help them. And you must treat them like guests at your family dejarles solamente las migajas del festín. Deben tomar de su sustancia y no sola- table.” mente de su abundancia para ayudarlos. Y deben tratarlos como sus invitados en la Our world today urgently needs Christians to express their faith in love and service. Thirty-five mesa de su familia.” thousand persons die of hunger and its consequences every day in all parts of the world. More than Nuestro mundo hoy necesita urgentemente Cristianos para expresar su fe en amor y servicio. 80 percent of the world’s people live in developing countries. They use just 20 percent of the world’s Trienta-cinco mil personas mueren de hambre y sus consecuencias cada día en todas partes del wealth. The remaining 20 percent of the world’s people live in industrialized nations and control 80 mundo. Mas de 80 porciento de la gente del mundo vive en paises desarollando. Ellos usan 20 percent of the world’s wealth. More than 35 million people, roughly 1 in every 7 Americans live in porciento de los recursos del mundo. Los otros 20 porciento de la gente del mundo vive en naciones poverty. Nearly 15 million children under age 18 live in poverty, and the number is increasing industriliazadas y controlan 80 porciento de los recursos del mundo. Mas de 35 millones de perso- steadily. Forty-four percent of African-American children and 36 percent of Latino children are nas, mas o menos 1 en cada 7 personas americanas, viven en la pobreza. Casi 15 millones de niños growing up poor. bajo la edad de 18 viven en pobreza, y el numero está creciendo constantemente. Cuarenta y cuatro Some citizens of the United States may succumb to the temptation of blaming those who are porciento de niños Africanos-Americanos y 36 porciento de niños Latinos están creciendo pobres. poor for the conditions which oppress them. Pope John Paul II cautions us in the Gospel of Life: “It Unos ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos podrán sucumbir a la tentación de echarle la culpa a los will be necessary above all to abandon a mentality in which the poor as individuals and as people que son pobres por las condiciones que los opriman a ellos. El Papa Juan Pablo II nos avisa el are considered a burden, as irksome intruders trying to consume what others have produced.” Such Evangelio de la Vida: “Será necesario sobretodo abandonar la mentalidad en la cual los pobres a mentality has led to the grave assault on life which plagues our present times, including abortion, como individuales y como gente son considerados una carga, como fastidiosos intrusos tratando de infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide. During his pastoral visit to the United States in 1995, consumir lo que otros han producido.” Tal mentalidad ha llegado a asalto grave contra la vida que Pope John Paul II described a society truly worthy of the human person as one in “which none are so atormenta nuestros tiempos presentes, incluyendo aborto, infanticidio, eutanasia, y suicidio asisti- poor that they have nothing to give, and none so rich that they have nothing to receive.” do. Durante su visita pastoral a los Estados Unidos en 1995, el Papa Juan Pablo Il describio una We Catholics are invited and expected to be good stewards of the blessings we have received – sociedad verdaderemente digna de la persona humana como una en “que no hay ningunos tan po- that is, we are invited to share our time, talent, and treasure with our neighbors, especially with bres que no tienen nada que dar, y ningunos tan ricos que no tienen nada que recibir.” those who have less than ourselves. We are strongly urged to put our faith into action by our willing- Nosotros los Católicos somos invitados y se nos espera ser buenos mayordomos de las bendicio- ness to serve one another through love – bear one another’s burdens – and so fulfill the law of Christ. nes que hemos recibido – esto es, somos invitados a compartir nuestro tiempo, talento, y tesoro con For some Catholics there is a widening split between our faith and our everyday life choices. nuestros vecinos, especialmente con los que tienen menos que nosotros. Somos fuertemente anima- In their message on “Everyday Christianity,” the U.S. Bishops posed the following questions: dos a poner nuestra fe en acción por nuestra buena voluntad a servir el uno al otro por amor – How do we connect worship on Sunday to work on Monday? How is the Gospel proclaimed not aguantar el uno con el otro la carga – y asi cumplir la ley de Cristo. Para unos Católicos hay una

see “FAITH”, page nine see “FE”, page nine

The Bishop’s esan Pastoral Center, 10:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m., speak to RCIA. February 2: San Angelo, Mass at February 12: San Angelo, Sacred Personnel Board Meeting. Dallas, January 20: San Angelo, Mass at 8:00 a.m. at Carmelite Monastery Heart Cathedral, 5:00 p.m. Scout Schedule 7:00 p.m, Installation of Bishop Jo- Carmelite Monastery, 8 a.m. Diocesan Pastoral Center, Liturgy Awards Mass. seph Gallante as Co-Adjutor Bishop January 21: Midland, Midland Commission Meeting at 10:00 a.m. February 13: Millersview, Our January 2000 of Dallas. Center, 6:30 p.m. Knights of Colum- Sacred Heart Cathedral Endowment Lady of Guadalupe, Mass at 9:30 January 1: San Angelo, St. January 16: San Angelo, First bus Pro Life Prayer Service. Meeting at 7:00 p.m. a.m. Margaret’s, Mass at 11:00 a.m. United Methodist Church, 10 45 a.m. January 22: San Angelo, Court- February 3: San Angelo, National February 14: Dallas, Meeting of January 2-6: Houston, Texas attend blessing of new building. house, Pro-Life March at 10:00 a.m. Prayer Breakfast at 6:30 a.m. Work- Texas Conference of Churches and Bishops’ Retreat. January 17: San Angelo, Sacred followed by Mass at Sacred Heart shop, National Association of Church Representatives of the Texas Bap- January 8: San Antonio. Heart Cathedral, Noon, Ecumenical Cathedral. Personnel Administration at Christ tist Convention January 9: Rowena, St. Joseph, Prayer Service for Dr. Martin Luther January 23: San Angelo, Mass the King Retreat Center, 10:00 a.m February 15: Odessa, St. Mary Mass at 9:30 a.m. King and for Church Unity Week. with Youth 2000. to 3:00 p.m. School, 2000th Birthday Party for January 10-13: Washington, January 18: Abilene, Holy Fam- January 24: San Angelo, Salva- February 4: San Angelo, Go to Jesus at 7:00 p.m. D.C., NCCB Communications Meet- ily, Ecumenical Prayer Service at tion Army, San Angelo Ministerial “Jail” for American Cancer Society February 17-19: Mexico City ing. 7:00 p.m. Association Meeting at 11:30 a.m. at 11:00 a.m. February 20: Winters, Our Lady January 14: San Angelo, Dioc- January 19: Wall, St. Ambrose, January 25: Odessa, St. Eliza- February 5: Midland, St. Ann, Di- of Mt. Carmel, Confirmation at 11:00 beth, 7:00 p.m., Ecumenical Prayer ocesan Schools Commission Meet- a.m. Service. ing, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon February 21-22: Fort Worth, The West Texas Angelus January 27: San Antonio, meet- February 6: Mereta, Holy Family, Texas Conference of Churches, As- Official Newspaper of the Diocese of San Angelo ing with Presidents of Texas Univer- Mass at 10:45 a.m. sembly 2000 POSTMASTER: Send all Changes of Address to: sities at Incarnate Word University. February 8: San Angelo, Dioc- February 24: Rankin, St. Tho- WEST TEXAS ANGELUS January 28: San Angelo, Dioc- esan Pastoral Center, Mass for staff mas, Meet with Pastor and Pastoral P.O. BOX 1829 esan Pastoral Center, Mass for Staff at 8:30 am. Staff Meeting at 11:00 Councils of Big Lake, Rankin, SAN ANGELO, TX 76902-1829 at 8:30 a.m. Staff Meeting at 11:00 a.m. McCamey, Iraan and Crane at 7:00 Publisher Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI a.m. February 10: Fort Stockton, St. p.m. Editor Peter N. Micale January 29: Abilene, St. Vincent, Joseph, Meet with Pastor and Pas- February 26: San Angelo, Dioc- Layout Stephen Talley Abilene Deanery Youth Event. toral Councils of Fort Stockton, esan Conference Day Production Kenneth Grimm January 30: Clyde, Sts. Joachim Sanderson, Coyanosa, and Imperial February 27: Brady, St. Patrick, and Ann, Mass at 8:00 a.m. at 7:00 p.m. Mass at 10:30 a.m. Automatic circulation to parishioners in the Diocese of San Angelo February 2000 February 11: San Angelo, Sacred February 28-29: Rest and Prayer Subscription rate for all others: $10.00 per year THIRD CLASS POSTAGE PAID AT SAN ANGELO, TEXAS February 1: San Angelo, Dioc- Heart Cathedral, Mass for the World Printed by the San Angelo Standard-Times A Scripps-Howard Company esan Pastoral Center, Meeting of Day of Prayer for the Sick at 7:00 Presbyteral Council, 10:30 a.m. p.m.

PAGE 2 JANUARY 2000 NATIONAL Annual March for Life Knights of Columbus By Fr. Frank Pavone with certain inalienable rights, among and protect, such doubt shall be resolved National Director, Priests for Life which is the right to life; and therefore in favor of the existence of a human be- The Annual March for Life held in -The right to life of each human be- ing; Launches New Web Washington DC on the anniversary of ing shall be preserved and protected by -When two or more human beings the Roe vs. Wade abortion decision, is every human being in the society and are in a situation in which their lives are more than meets the eye. by the society as a whole; mutually endangered, all available or- Site Under the experienced leadership of -The life of each human being shall dinary means and reasonable efforts Miss Nellie Gray, this event is actually be preserved and protected from that hu- shall be used to preserve and protect the New Haven, CT – The Knights of Columbus Supreme Council unveiled its a series of educational workshops, in- man being’s biological beginning when life of each and every human being so new Internet Web site located at: http://www.kofc.org. “The new site and its com- spirational gatherings, and a beautiful the father’s sperm fertilizes the mother’s endangered; prehensive features can open a whole new vista of awareness and understanding dinner. This year, the March itself will ovum; Wherefore, Pursuant to these Prin- of the Knights of Columbus among the general public and those with special in- be held on Monday, January 24. But on -The life of each human being shall ciples, we recommend and urge the terests, such as clergy, journalists, students, and civic-minded citizens. At the same the 22nd and 23rd, there will be a Con- be preserved and protected from the bio- adoption of a Mandatory Human Life time, it will provide up-to-date information about the Order to our members and vention, featuring speakers, workshops, logical beginning throughout the natu- Amendment to the Constitution of the their families,” said Supreme Knight Virgil C. Dechant, chief executive officer of and exhibit booths. Among the speak- ral continuum of that human being’s life United States of America.” the 1.6-million-member Roman Catholic family fraternal service organization. ers will be Norma McCorvey, the former by all available ordinary means and rea- As we observe another anniversary The new Web site was developed in order to satisfy the information needs of a Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade, who later sonable efforts; of the Supreme Court’s most deadly de- broad range of potential users. Visitors to the new site are greeted by a home page became pro-life and whom I had the -The life of each human being shall cision, let us join in the March for Life featuring four main topics: Knights, Founder, Faith and Insurance. A click on any privilege of confirming in the Catholic be preserved and protected at each stage as best we can: if not in Washington, then of these will lead visitors deeper into the site, where information on the Order, its Church in August of 1998. of the life continuum to the same extent in our own cities; if not physically, then history, programs and mission can be found. Important Supreme Council announce- The March for Life Education and as at each and every other stage regard- spiritually. In all cases, let’s resolve to ments and news releases also can be accessed directly from the home page at the Defense Fund (www.marchforlife.org) less of state of health or condition of de- continue our march throughout the year link “Announcements.” publishes an instructional Report each pendency; by practicing and proclaiming the Life The Knights area features an online edition of Columbia, the Knights’ award- year, which enunciates the “Life Prin- -The life of each human being shall Principles. winning monthly magazine which enjoys a 1.8 million monthly circulation in tis ciples.” This is the heart and soul of the be preserved and protected to the same Contact Priests for Life at PO Box printed version. In addition, site visitors can access information on membership, annual March, and these principles are extent as the life of each and every other 141172, Staten Island, NY 10314; Tel: volunteer service programs, and spiritual activities of the Knights of Columbus. the following: human being regardless of state of health 888-PFL-3448, 718-980-4400; Fax: The Faith area includes material covering the Catholic Information Service “We hold these truths to be self-evi- or condition of dependency; 718-980-6515; email: (CIS), religious vocations, the Gospel of Life, and a link that enables visitors to dent: That all human beings are created -When there is any doubt that there [email protected]; web: search, by topic or citation, the Catechism of the . Other high- equal and are endowed by their Creator exists a human being’s life to preserve www.priestsforlife.org lights of this section are online versions of many CIS pamphlets on the faith, and the full text of Pope John Paul II’s Gospel of Life and an accompanying study guide. A featured area of the Web site is devoted to Father Michael J. McGivney, who Workshop Will founded the Knights of Columbus in 1882. Father McGivney is a candidate for sainthood. The Knights of Columbus operates a top-rated insurance program for mem- Explore Popular Pray for bers. Types of insurance, a needs calculator and a request form for additional information on K of C insurance products are features of the site’s Insurance sec- tion. Hispanic Celebrations Vocations The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest Catholic family fraternal ser- vice organization. It provides members and their families with volunteer opportu- nities in service to the Catholic Church, communities, families, and young people. Part Of The Mustard Seed Program The Knights of Columbus at all levels of the organization distributes an aggregate $110 million to charitable causes annually. In addition, Knights volunteer approxi- For Lay Leadership Training Knights of mately 55 million hours of service a year. By Father Mark Woodruff Columbus Insurance Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, pastor in Fort Worth, TX. Among other Odessa activities, he has written reflections in Earns Top Rating On Saturday, January 29 another in Spanish for the liturgical magazine a series of Mustard Seed Workshops will Liturgia y Cancion. From Standard & be held in the Diocese of San Angelo. Sister Rosa Maria, a member of the Poor’s The January 29th program will focus on Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word ways the Hispanic community cel- in San Antonio, TX, is a university New Haven, CT – Standard & Poor’s ebrates important life moments. Special teacher and fellow and has just com- has affirmed the triple-A financial emphasis will be placed on pleted a new ritual book for strength rating of the Knights of Co- quinceaneras, weddings and funerals. quinceaneras that has been approved by lumbus. The rating, according to a About 80% of the Catholics of the the Bishops’ Committee on Liturgy and press release distributed by S & P, Diocese of San Angelo are Hispanic. by Rome. “reflects the society’s competitive ad- St. Thomas Parish in Big Spring is Weddings and funerals are common vantage in the Catholic market, as hosting this particular workshop. It will in every culture, but quinceaneras have well as its extremely strong capitali- begin at 9:30 a.m. Departure will be at a special hold in Hispanic culture. A zation, profitability and liquidity.” 4:00 p.m. The Mustard Seed Office, 804 quinceanera celebrates a young An insurer rated AAA by Standard Ford Street, San Angelo, TX 76905 woman’s 15th birthday when she enters and Poor’s has “extremely strong” fi- the more committed and responsible (915-651-7500), is handing the registra- nancial security characteristics. A tion for the workshop. A $20 per person world of adulthood. triple-A rating is the highest insurer fee is being charged, which includes The Mustard Seed Program is a lead- financial strength rating assigned by lunch. ership-training program for parish and Standard & Poor’s. The presenters of the workshop will mission churches across the Diocese of be Father Rudy Vela, SM and Sister Rosa San Angelo. It seeks to train lay leaders “Consistent top ratings demonstrate Maria Icaza, CCVI. Both presenters who are taking increasingly more re- anew that the Knights of Columbus come from the Mexican American Cul- sponsibilities for the programs and ac- spirit of mutual support for members, tural Center in San Antonio and have tivities of their local congregations. communities and the Church is firmly extensive experience in the study of Lit- In writing to parish leaders, Bishop grounded in a sound financial struc- urgy, Hispanic culture and Hispanic ex- Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, added his en- ture to sustain our fraternal mission,” pressions of faith. couragement to the program and hoped said Supreme Knight Virgil C. Father Vela, a Marianist priest of the that one or two representatives would Dechant. The Knights of Columbus St. Louis Province, has served variously come from each parish and mission of has more than $38 billion of insur- as a missionary in Peru and an associate the Diocese. ance in force for members.

JANUARY 2000 PAGE 3 OPINION Living The Gospel Of Life In The New Millennium

By Bishop Michael Pfeifer, OMI and sacredness of all human life from seriously mistaken on several accounts. on the rest of society.” Real pluralism policy, procedure, majority will or plu- “Here, then, I have today set before its earliest beginnings. First, regarding abortion, the point when depends on people of convictions strug- ralism ever excuses a public official you life and prosperity, death and doom While the Church teaches that the act human life begins is not a religious be- gling vigorously to advance their beliefs from defending life to the greatest ex- . . . Choose life, then, that you and your of killing an unborn child is intrinsically lief but a scientific fact – a fact on which by every ethical and legal means at their tent possible. As is true of leaders in all descendants may live” [Deut.30:15 and bad, it does not teach that the mother there is clear agreement even among disposal. walks of life, no political leader can 19] who seeks an abortion is also intrinsi- leading abortion advocates. Second, the Catholic public officials who disre- avoid the accountability for his or her As we end the deadliest century in cally bad. There is a difference between sanctity of human life is not merely gard Church teaching on the inviolabil- exercise of power. Those who justify the history of humankind and begin a condemning an act, and judging the guilt Catholic doctrine but part of humanity’s ity of the human person indirectly their inaction on the grounds that abor- new millennium, the question before us of the actor. The Church has great com- global, ethical heritage, and our nation’s collude in the taking of human life. A tion is the law of the land, need to rec- is will we choose life or death? In this passion and care for women struggling founding principle. Finally, democracy private call to conversion should always ognize that there is a higher law, the law new millennium, humankind must make with a difficult pregnancy decision and is not served by silence. Most Ameri- be the first step in dealing with these of God. No human law can validly con- some basic choices for life, otherwise extends a loving hand of forgiveness and cans would recognize the contradiction leaders. tradict the commandments: Thou shall we will bring about our own death. At support to those who might have expe- in the statement, “While I am person- Only tireless promotion of the truth not kill. the beginning of a new century, pro- rienced an abortion. ally opposed to slavery or racism or sex- about the human person can infuse de- lifers must recommit themselves to In The Gospel of Life, the Holy Fa- ism, I cannot force my personal views mocracy with right values. No appeal to prayer and action to overturn the deci- ther says: All of sacred Scripture shows sion of Roe vs. Wade of our Supreme such profound respect for human life, Court on January 22, 1973. That tragic as the work of God’s hands, that it re- decision has given legal sanction to the quires as a logical consequence, that the killing of some 40 million precious un- commandment “You shall not kill” be born. extended to the unborn, even if abortion In November, 1998, the U.S. Catho- is not mentioned by name in Scripture. lic bishops adopted what is arguably the In the face of temptation to suicide, abor- bishops’ most important statement on tion, euthanasia and other violent re- pro-life issues: “Living the Gospel of sponses to life’s difficulties, the Pope Life: A Challenge to American Catho- proclaims a positive message that life is lics.” This statement on which I base good; life is inviolable; life is to be re- many of my reflections calls upon spected and cherished. Catholics to reclaim the principle on During his visit to St. Louis the Pope which our nation was founded – fore- noted “America first proclaimed its in- most, the recognition and protection of dependence on the basis of self-evident the inalienable and God-given right to moral truths. America will remain a bea- life. The bishops challenge American con of freedom for the world as long as You never stand alone. There is someone with you in anxious moments who knows your deepest desires and wants what’s Catholics, as citizens, politicians, and it stands by those moral truths which are best for you. Think of the person who has loved you most. Multiply that love a million times over and voters to bring these principles to bear at the very heart of its historical experi- you still haven’t reached the extent of God’s personal love for you. on all public decisions and thus partici- ence. And so, America: if you want pate in building the culture of life. This peace, work for justice. If you want jus- You can go beyond yourself. position is based on the understanding tice, defend life. If you want life, em- You can forgive those who have hurt you, however deeply. Even when you feel intense pain, the possibility of forgiveness lies within you. You can forgive others because God is always ready to of the human person as a temple of the brace truth – truth revealed by God.” forgive your sins.You can overlook wrongs because God empowers you to go beyond your own Holy Spirit – the living house of God. Our Holy Father offers wise words heartache. Hence, all direct attacks on innocent life, about the paradox of modern society: At such as abortion and euthanasia, strike the close of the 20th century and the be- You can ask forgiveness of those you have hurt. at the house’s foundation. ginning of a new millennium, we are You can admit wrongs and ask forgiveness to make relationships right. His grace can heal you. Adopting a consistent ethic of life, witnessing a strange paradox: the sanc- the Catholic Church promotes a broad tity of human life is being denied by an You can care for the weak. spectrum of issues seeking to protect appeal to freedom, democracy, plural- You can remove injustices, alleviate poverty, annihilate oppression and restore righteousness in our world. The love of God in you gives you strength to defend the unborn, support the elderly, and lift the human life and promote human dignity ism, even reason and compassion. Words hearts of those without hope. God’s grace in you helps you to see that in every person beats a heart, from the inception of life to its final have become unmoored from their yearning to be loved. moment. The basic principle is simple: meaning, and we are left with a rhetoric we must begin with a commitment never in which the language of life is used to You have the power to touch hearts with compassion. to intentionally kill, or collude in the promote the culture of death. Freedom You can heal wounds in those around you and act selflessly. killing, of any innocent human life, no is sundered from truth, and democracy New possibilities lie before you – before all of us – at the start of the third Christian millennium.This is matter how broken, unformed, disabled, from the moral values required for its a Jubilee Year of Celebration. This is a time to look at the world and decide how to better serve your neighbor. Thanks to God you can do it! Two thousand years ago the Father sent Jesus his son into the or desperate that life may seem. Any survival; a faulty notion of pluralism world as the Savior. Now through the Holy Spirit, the power of God’s love Iies within you. politics of human life must work to re- loses sight of the common good; and a sist the violence of war, abortion, eu- false sense of compassion is incapable thanasia, and the scandal of capital pun- of facing the limits and the demands of ishment. Any politics of human dignity our nature as created and dependent be- must seriously address the issues of rac- ings. The language of human rights is ism, poverty, hunger, employment, edu- constantly invoked but the most basic cation, housing, and healthcare. of them – the right to life is repeatedly Sad to say, we as a nation have al- disregarded. So great is its confusion at lowed the killing of the unborn to be- times that for many people the differ- come a “legal” right. In many ways be- ence between good and evil is deter- cause of this, America’s conscience has mined by the opinion of the majority, been aborted as well. Just because some- and even the time-honored havens of Every quarter century Catholics celebrate a “holy year,” in which we turn to Jesus, ask for the grace that converts our hearts and minds, and look forward in hope. As we celebrate the two thousand years of thing is legal doesn’t make it moral. human life – the family, the law and Christianity, we wish to witness to our faith in Jesus and how the Gospel empowers and challenges us.

Abortion is a crime against humanity; medicine – are sometimes made to serve As we think about home and school, work and play, we see a need for the saving presence of Jesus thus it is a human rights issue as well as the culture of death. Bad laws and de- Christ throughout the land. This is vital as violence threatens to shatter peace and the lure of instant gratification keeps people from looking beyond themselves. Such threats can blind a person to the exist- a moral issue. Pro-lifers working to over- fective moral reasoning produce the eva- ence of God’ s timeless caring and affection. come the evil of abortion are to refrain sive language to justify evil of abortion. As you step across the threshold into the new millennium, think about what God’s love means for you. from violence. However, they are also Some Catholic elected officials have to refrain from silence because to know adopted the argument that, while they A MESSAGE FROM THE U. S. CATHOLIC BISHOPS FOR THE JUBILEE YEAR 2000 the truth and not speak up is irrespon- personally oppose evils like abortion, For more information, visit our website at www.nccbuscc.org sible. The key to ending abortion is love, they cannot force their religious views prayer and education about the dignity onto the wider society. This position is

PAGE 4 JANUARY 2000 WORLD Vatican Agency Says Pope’s New Wheels Help Him 31 Missionaries Killed Move Around, Keep Personal In 1999 Contact By Benedicta Cipolla, Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Thirty-one church personnel were killed in mis- By Benedicta Cipolla sion territories in 1999, Vatican missionary news service Fides said. Catholic News Service Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The first counted 15 martyrs in Africa, 10 in Asia and six in South or Central America. time Pope John Paul II entered St. Rather than being a cause for mourning, Fides director Father Bernardo Peter’s Basilica after his election in Cervellera said, martyrdom belongs to the joy of Holy Year 2000. 1978, he refused to be carried on the “The jubilee year is a year of grace, conversion, (and) pilgrimage,” Father once-traditional portable throne, much Cervellera said in a Dec. 28 editorial preceding Fides’ annual list of martyrs. preferring his own two feet and prox- Father Cervellera said martyrs received grace for their witness to the church as imity to the people. they preached its universal message to diverse peoples around the world. Twenty-one years and five major Many on Fides’ list were killed while working in trouble spots like East Timor, operations later, the pope entered the ba- which spiraled into violence in September following a vote for independence from silica on wheels. Indonesia; Congo, where civil war has raged since August 1998; and Colombia, At a two-part Dec. 29 general audi- where rebels have waged a guerrilla campaign against the government for the past ence — the first part in St. Peter’s Ba- 14 years. silica — the pope made his way to the “The death of a martyr is a sign that these places of desperation have been main altar standing on a wheeled, 2-foot- redeemed, made holy,” Father Cervellera said. tall platform. It was pushed by two “pa- Martyrdom can also have positive social consequences, said Fides. The agency pal gentlemen”— elegantly dressed ush- offered East Timor as an example, saying the deaths of three seminarians, four ers who, in their previous incarnation as priests and two nuns there helped push the international community to send in a “sediari,” once carried above the peacekeeping force to restore order. heads of the faithful. Pope John Paul II will commemorate 20th-century martyrs in May. He is ex- Thus, the last general audience of the pected to include Lutherans, Anglicans and Orthodox in his tribute to people who millennium marked the new platform’s died for their faith. virgin voyage. “These martyrs are a sign of the new Christianity of 2000,” said Father Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro- Cervellera. “Together they are a sign of hope for the men and women of the third Valls said the platform was used “to al- millennium.” low all pilgrims to see the pope and to facilitate movement.” The large crowds expected for jubi- Israel Says Pope To lee events and the considerable distance FIND DAILY NEWS BRIEFS between the basilica’s sacristy to the ON THE INTERNET AT main altar make the platform especially www.catholicnews.com Celebrate Mass With useful in St. Peter’s, Navarro-Valls said, adding that the latest papal vehicle might also make an appearance at a Dec. 31 Youths In Holy Land Te Deum prayer service. With three small steps on either end, By Faith, Youths Can By Judith Sudilovsky Catholic News Service the platform enabled the 5,000 pilgrims (CNS) — Some 45,000 young people will accompany Pope gathered in St. Peter’s Dec. 29 to get a John Paul II at a Mass on the Mount of Beatitudes during his March pilgrimage to better view of the pope. Ensure Peace In Third the Holy Land, said an Israeli Ministry of Tourism official. At the same time, its relative near- Though dates and times have been more or less set for the pope’s visit, they ness to the ground allowed for personal cannot be released due to security considerations, Zvi Liran, director of the spe- contact with the people, something Pope Millennium, Pope Says cial segments marketing division of the Ministry of Tourism, said Dec. 29. John Paul has insisted on throughout his The Vatican has not confirmed dates for the pope’s pilgrimage, but church pontificate. By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service sources said Pope John Paul plans an overnight March 20-21 visit to Jordan as the More significantly, though, the plat- VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Young people, by their faith and example, can en- first leg of a trip that would also take him to Jerusalem and holy places in Israel form symbolized the pope’s increasing sure that acceptance and peace mark the third millennium, Pope John Paul II said. and the Palestinian territories. frailty. “Jesus himself asks you to light a fire on earth, the fire of his love,” the pope During the pope’s stay in Israel he will overnight in Jerusalem and will fly to “It recalls the Passion, the message wrote to a youth gathering sponsored by the ecumenical Taize Community. and from Nazareth and the Galilee, said Liran. of the cross, the suffering servant whom The community’s Dec. 28-Jan. 1 pilgrimage meeting was expected to bring Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak will most likely meet with the pope at the Isaiah prophesied, rather than the trium- some 100,000 young people to Warsaw, Poland, to usher in the new year together. Mount of Beatitudes. In addition to Barak, the only other Israeli officials the pon- phant king,” said Cardinal Paul Poupard, In a letter addressed to Brother Roger, the prior of Taize, the pope said he tiff was scheduled to meet were Israeli President Ezer Weizman and Chief Rabbi president of the for hoped the gathering would be “a privileged time of mutual acceptance and of Meir Lau. Culture, in the Italian newspaper La brotherhood, prayer and contemplation which will lead to an ever greater open- In Bethlehem, Mayor Hana Nasser, who is a member of the Palestinian com- Repubblica. ness to God and to others.” mittee organizing the pope’s visit to the city, said the pope will be visiting one of Walking and even standing upright The text of the pope’s message was released Dec. 28 at the Vatican. the three refugee camps surrounding the city. He added that Palestinian National have become extremely difficult for the Pope John Paul told the young people the first step toward building a better Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat would attend an open-air Mass the pope will pope ever since hip surgery in 1994. world was to recognize that God is “an extremely loving and merciful Father” celebrate in Manger Square. Even with the use of a cane, his gait is who makes one big family out of all humanity. Logistics of the visit were already being worked out, Nasser said, downplaying slow and unsteady. Though still uncon- Too many people today, the pope said, live lives marked by violence or fear of the threats against the pope issued recently by Muslim extremists in Nazareth. firmed by the Vatican, it is commonly the future or bewilderment over the meaning of life. “I think the has been one of the rare leaders in the world which has believed that the pope suffers from the “Christians must be more zealous and vigorous witnesses of the hope they showed real feeling for and especially the problems of the refugees neurological disorder Parkinson’s dis- live,” he said. They must reach out to others and invite them to join in the process and their right to self-determination,” said Nasser, who called the pope “a freedom ease. of building communities marked by acceptance and forgiveness. fighter.” The pope fulfilled his longtime “To each one of you, I say: Where you live, in your families, in your schools, “I don’t think there is any room for any individual, whether they be Muslim or dream of ushering the church into the where you work or relax, always be servants of the Gospel of hope,” he said. Christian extremists, to do something. But of course we will always be on the alert third millennium Dec. 24, but his goal The most powerful way to spread the message of hope is by recognizing that and take all precautions to keep the visit of the pope running smoothly,” he said. of seeing through the jubilee, which ends each person is a brother or sister to welcome and love, the pope said. Some 700 buses will be used to transport the pilgrims. Officials said coordina- Jan. 6, 2001, still lies a long way off and Each individual’s love for another must be allowed to start a chain reaction so tion is still needed for the arrangement of entry permits for pilgrims from coun- includes a busy schedule of events. that it extends throughout each community, each region and around the world, he tries who do not have diplomatic relations with Israel and for the landing of large said. numbers of chartered airplane flights.

JANUARY 2000 PAGE 5 VOCATIONS Fr. Barley Appointed New Director Of Vocations And Seminarians (Editor’s note: this article is the first next 25 years I attended seminaries for priesthood. They dedicated their lives to into the federal prison to minister to pris- I was finally ordained in 1991 for the in a series which will focus on the clergy San Antonio, the Maryknoll Missionar- spread the Gospel in poor countries all oners. He was the saint of Morelia, Diocese of San Angelo from Assump- and religious of the Diocese. The read- ies, and finally San Angelo in addition over the world, just like missionaries of Michoacan and a tremendous sign of the tion Seminary and the Oblate School of ers will come to know the spiritual jour- to taking time out for several years for many other Catholic religious groups. I love of Christ. Theology in San Antonio. At one point ney taken by our priests and religious education, professional work, and spiri- learned to appreciate my own back- My studies in theology revealed the I had thought of transferring to the new through the sea of life prior to their or- tual development. ground and beliefs as well as to respect depths and strength of our Catholic Diocese of Tyler where I have many rela- dination and acceptance of vows; and Those years included living in a those of others. Faith. We have been around since the tives. Then I remembered three things the many joys, and perhaps sorrows, Benedictine mon- time of Christ. In that have bonded me with west Texas they experience while bringing Christ to astery in Mexico my ten years in since 1980. These are the sunsets, the us. Families and young men and women for a few months hospital social people, and a sense of mission in west will learn Vocations are nurtured in the after college. My work I did a lot of Texas. I have not regretted my decision crucible of life.) education includes growing up. I was to stay in the Diocese of San Angelo. I wish to introduce myself. On Janu- college and masters privileged to walk My two parish assignments, St. Joseph ary 17, 2000 I, Fr. Tom Barley, will degrees in social with the dying and and St. Isidore in Stanton and Lenorah transfer from being the pastor of St. work (MSW), busi- the abused, the respectively, and St. Lawrence and St. Lawrence near Garden City and St. Tho- ness administration elderly and the Thomas near Garden City and Midkiff, mas in Midkiff to assume the position (MBA), theology disabled, poor and have been tremendously life-giving. My of Director of Vocations and Director of (MDiv), and canon rich during their time in ministry in the Engaged Encoun- Seminarians from Fr. David Espitia. I law (JCL). I hospitalizations. I ter and the Marriage Tribunal has been will live in San Angelo and will be worked in hospital taught and learned very fulfilling. I describe my years of officed in the Diocesan Pastoral Center. social work as a de- from them and priesthood as a time of joy, hard work, (Fr. David Espitia has been appointed partment manager wor ked with many inner peace, many friends, sacrifice— as Parochial Administrator of St over ten years in other medical pro- more than I need—challenges, and sense Lawerence parish, effective January 17, San Antonio, fessionals dedi- of fulfillment. While I have done other 2000.) McAllen, and cated to helping things in life that pay more and have My own vocational journey began Odessa. I have pro- others. Many greater social position, I choose priest- when I was very young. In my earliest fessional licenses in friends from those hood. Some would see the priestly vows memories I remember a desire to be a social work years have kept in of chastity, obedience, and poverty as priest. Priests in my parish were good (LMSW-ACP) and touch. I worked, limiting. I see them as greatly liberat- pastors and easy to talk with. The Pre- canon law (JCL). I learned, and ing, allowing me to be used by Christ in sentation Sisters who taught me in el- have lived in Germany, Mexico, Guate- I am proud of my mixed heritage of served. love to others. ementary school were challenging, lov- mala, Chicago, Boston, and around Mexican, Spanish, German, and Irish Over the years I played and coached During this whole vocational jour- ing, and supportive. One parish priest, Texas. ancestors and growing up in the mili- soccer for 29 years. I learned about ney my parents, brother, sister, and large Msgr. Michael Holden, made an impres- My years with Maryknoll taught me tary. My time at the Benedictine mon- teamwork and the need to push myself extended family proudly supported me sion on me by his patience, humble lead- of the beauty of the ministry of the astery in Mexico introduced me to com- hard to accomplish my goals. I often felt at each step. They freely helped me to ership, self-sacrifice, service, and his Catholic Church in its service of spread- munal meditative prayer. Many of the the strength of prayer and a renewed serve God and our Church as a priest. friendliness up to the time of his death. ing the Gospel and social justice to and monks were very dedicated to the people awareness of God’s gifts of faith and vo- Never once was there a discouraging I entered high school seminary in 1966 in the foreign missions, especially the in the area. One elderly monk formed cation. These and many other experi- word. Whenever I visit family and old at the personal invitation of Msgr. Larry poor and people on the fringes of soci- many food co-ops, started a medical ences kept bringing me back to my jour- friends I am given a position of honor. Stuebben, the Vocation Director for the ety. The early Maryknoll Fathers were clinic, visited collections of families ney to answer God’s call to a priestly Archdiocese of San Antonio. Over the giants in the American foreign missions abandoned by their fathers, and went vocation. see “BARLEY”, page eleven

part-time jobs during the academic year. earns only about $50,000 annually. The Seminarians Are Expensive!!!! Many summer programs, such as Pas- Diocese also receives grants from the toral and Clinical Education programs Catholic Church Extension Society and Special Collection Coming Sunday, February 6 and language studies in Mexico preclude Catholic Home Missions (about $50,000 the possibility of summer jobs. a year). With this income, a shortfall of By Father Mark Woodruff higher education How does the Diocese pay the about $62,000 is expected this year Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, for young people annual costs of the 9+ seminarians alone. Odessa today is enor- (about $162,000)? That’s why parishioners around the On Sunday, February 6, the Catho- mous. Since The Diocese maintains a SEMI- Diocese are being asked to assist in this lics of the Diocese of San Angelo will many of our NARY BURSE, which now totals extraordinary collection. The benefits to be asked for special donations to the seminarians $1 million. The burse, however, each parishioner are obvious since those SEMINARY TUITION FUND. This is come from lower who complete the first collection of its nature to be income families, their seminary taken up in the Diocese. Happily, the and since they training return to need for increased funds is due to the will be serving the Diocese to large number of seminarians studying the people of the serve their people for the priesthood for the Diocese. Diocese after or- as priests. Currently nine seminarians are dination, the Dio- Please be gen- studying for the Diocese of San Angelo. cese assumes erous on February Several attend college (once called the much, if not all, 6. Also, consider minor seminary) while the rest attend the cost of each making a gift to the major seminary. Some of these semi- man’s seminary the DIOCESAN narians may be ordained to the priest- tuition and room Bishop Pfeifer, Priests and Seminarians at a recent SEMINARY hood in as few as two years. and board. Other lunch. BURSE (P. O. The appeal will take place annually incidentals such Box 1829, San for the immediate future. as books, travel and even a monthly al- to defray any of the cost of their Angelo, TX What does it cost the Diocese of San lowance are given. education. The seminary curricu- 76902). Angelo to educate one seminarian for This amounts to about $18,000 a lum and the spiritual and pasto- one year? year per student. ral formation are so rigorous that As any parent can testify, the cost of The seminarians are usually unable seminarians are unable to hold The Bishop, Frs. Barley and Espitia, Seminarians after Christmas luncheon.

PAGE 6 JANUARY 2000 DIOCESE Honduras Relief Bishop Opens Holy Door, By Msgr. Larry Droll It is time to say “Thank You” to all who have assisted our Catholic brothers and sisters in Honduras through the November collection. The Diocese of San Angelo Proclaims 2000 Jubilee has adopted the Honduras Diocese of San Pedro Sula, to help them recover from Hurricane Mitch. As of this writing, $14,900.00 has been received from individuals, parishes and missions. I want to express my gratitude to all who have given so generously. I also want to thank pastors and other parish leaders who facilitated this collec- tion. Part of the proceeds have already been sent to the bishop of the Diocese of San Pedro Sula as a Christmas gift for hurricane relief. We are awaiting information about other, more specific projects we might fund. Fr. Tom Goekler, a priest asso- ciated with Maryknoll who works in an area devastated by the hurricane, told me recently of the need to purchase a plot of land for a mission church in the middle of a housing project of 4,000 units. This would be one example of the type of project that can assist our Catholic brothers and sisters. There are many other needs, of course, from building bridges to health care to serving youth. I would like to invite individuals and organizations interested in continuing various types of aid to contact me. One parish in our diocese is discussing adopt- ing a parish in Honduras. Several people have suggested taking groups down to San Pedro Sula to build a home or undertake some other project. If anyone needs more offering envelopes to organize an event, please contact me. During the Christmas season, we are reminded that giving and sharing is what love is all about. Thank you for your loving generosity. Bishop Pfeifer and the Very Rev. Maurice J. Voity, Rector of the Cathedral, reading the prayers and proclamation prior to opening the Holy Door. Diocesan Snapshots

Main entrance to the Cathedral with the banner depicting the time of the Holy Door opening.

Deacon Jerardo Trevino, Jr. Pastoral Associate, stands with the Bishop at the opened Holy Door. Bishop Pfeifer speaks to female inmates at the Tom Green County jail during the Christmas Eve celebration of mass.

Cathedral Holy Door.

Bishop Pfeifer leads the Procession into the Cathedral through the Holy Door. Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer proclaiming the Word during the 10:30 a.m. Mass for Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration on Dec. 11 at the Cathedral Church of San Angelo.

JANUARY 2000 PAGE 7 OPINION / COLUMNS Bishops’ Pastoral: Everybody Can Be Great, Charity Is A Simple, Because Anybody Can Serve But Challenging, (Dr. Martin Luther King) By Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI true with the false, and the false with are the KKK’s target of cruel prejudice, On his upcoming birthday, Martin the true. risked being beaten herself to protect her Commandment Luther King, Jr., once again reminds us Darkness cannot drive out darkness; enemy. where true greatness is found. Dr. King only light can do that. Hate cannot drive This photo presents us with the chal- By Fred Kammer, S J inspired many to reach upward for out hate; only love can do that. Hate lenge to love in a Gospel manner. It re- As our heads swim with the details of the holiday season and we move into a equality, peace and justice which he be- multiplies hate, violence multiplies vio- minds us that we are to love and have new century and a new millennium, I hope we can keep in mind that religion lieved is achieved through the power of lence, and toughness multiplies tough- the courage to do exactly what that doesn’t have to be complicated. love which in turn motivates people to ness in a descending spiral of destruc- woman did, to reach out even to our en- The U.S. Catholic bishops make this point very well in their new pastoral serve. King sincerely believed that: “Ev- tion. . . . The chain reaction of evil emy and to those who persecute us. This letter, “In All Things Charity: A Pastoral Challenge for the New Millennium.” erybody can be great, because anybody – hate begetting hate, wars producing young woman could have stood by on They remind Christians that Jesus told his disciples, “I give you a new command- can serve.” This equality and justice more wars – must be broken, or we shall the sidelines cheering to see her enemy ment: love one another. . . . This is how all will know that you are my dis- come about through the power of love. be plunged into the dark abyss of anni- being battered and beaten. Instead, she ciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34). As we remember Dr. King on his hilation.” ran into the danger and tried to protect “With these words,” the bishops said, “the entire Christian vocation is con- special anniversary, it is fitting that we This power of love described by Dr. another human being from harm. veyed in a simple, profound definition of charity. The ‘new commandment’ of listen once again to his inspiring com- King was exemplified in a newspaper As we remember this great civil charity unites love of God with love of neighbor; it bridges Old and New Testa- ments on “The Strength to Love.” photo. An eighteen-year old black rights leader on his holiday, we all need ments; it provides the foundation for human morality; it spans all time and all “Like an unchecked cancer, hate cor- woman was using her body to shield a to pledge ourselves to the spirit of love peoples.” rodes the personality and eats away its white Klu Klux Klan member who had as exemplified in the writing and life of Whose job is charity? Everyone’s. vital unity. Hate destroys a man’s sense fallen to the ground during a riot. This Dr. King. And we need to express this Where should we live out charity? In every aspect of our lives: in our homes, of values and his objectivity. It causes man was being beaten by anti-Klan dem- love in service where true greatness is on our jobs, in our voluntary activities, and in our public lives. him to describe the beautiful as ugly and onstrators. What an act of compassion! found. Dr. King’s widow, Coretta Scott As Christians, as Catholics, and as Americans, we believe that the first line of the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the This woman, whose color and ethnicity King, reminds us of the best way to re- attack against poverty must be to build and sustain a healthy economy that pro- member her husband: “The greatest vides employment opportunities at just wages for all adults who are able to work. birthday gift my husband could receive All of society – individuals and governments – has an obligation to help those is if people of all racial and ethnic back- unable to work, or unable to work at a wage that allows for human dignity. grounds celebrated the holiday by per- The bishops point out that “For at least a century, religious and community- A Day of Faith forming acts of service and love.” based nonprofit organizations have been providing social services under contracts (Editor’s Note: The following essay was written by a high school senior in our with government at all levels. This system of joint responsibility has served chil- diocese and it shows how the author values the life and work of the priest. This dren and families, communities, and society very well.” Catholic Charities agen- priest is currently serving in our diocese. To preserve anonymity, he will be re- cies are proud to be part of this relationship as we provide social services and ferred to as Fr. Paul.) emergency aid to millions of people each year, without regard to race or religion. As early as childhood we imagine that we are someone else: from a little girl But the Church is not naive about charity. The bishops note that “Frequently, sitting in her playhouse pretending to be Princess Diana at a tea party to a little EDICTAL SUMMONS people are tempted to blame the poor for the conditions that oppress them. . . boy sitting in his father’s car pretending to be Jeff Gordan winning the Indy 500. The Tribunal of the Catholic Dio- . In recent years, charity has often been perceived negatively. Those who under- Somehow our lives do not seem as exciting or extravagant as others. How many cese of San Angelo to James Rob- take charitable activities are seen as well-meaning ‘do-gooders’ who actually fos- times has “If only I could change places with her or him” been mumbled? What if, ert Rasmussen, whereabouts un- ter dependency. Those who receive charity are treated in a demeaning manner. for one day, that wish would come true? What if, for twenty-four hours, you could known: Even the word ‘charity’ has been transformed by some into a derogatory term. We leave your most ordinary life and be the president, or an actress, an astronaut, or You are hereby summoned to reject this characterization.” God? The possibilities are endless, but who would you pick and why? What makes appear before the Tribunal of the The bishops’ pastoral says, “In the Christian life, no distinction can be made that one person seem so much better than anyone else, and more importantly what Catholic Diocese of San Angelo, at between the giver and the receiver. Even when it appears that one person provides would you do with all that power that you possess in your mind. As tempting as 804 Ford Street, San Angelo, TX a service and the other receives the benefits of that service, the ‘giver’ often re- being the leader of the free world is, I would not put myself in that position full of 76905, on or before January 20, ceives the most benefit from such acts of charity. Thus, in 1995, during his pasto- stress, lies, political issues, and nepotism for all the power in the world. If I could 2000, to answer to the petition of ral visit to the United States, Pope John Paul II described a society ‘truly worthy trade places with anyone in the entire world I would change places with the priest Donna Louise Tibbles, Petitioner, of the human person’ as one ‘in which none are so poor that they have nothing to at my church, Father Paul. now introduced before the Dioc- give and none are so rich that they have nothing to receive.’” Father Paul does not earn millions of dollars a year on advertisements or mov- esan Tribunal, in an action styled, Many Americans are turned off by the way the New Millennium has been ies; instead he has taken an oath of poverty. He promises to have the bare essen- “Donna Louise Tibbles, vs. James hyped and commercialized. The bishops offer Catholics a way to make the Mil- tials in life needed to function as a good priest. He is not world known nor does he Robert Rasmussen, Petition for lennium meaningful by reminding us that it is also a Jubilee Year, which calls us have power over an entire country. He is an ordinary man living a life pure in Declaration of Invalidity of Mar- “to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . to proclaim liberty to captives and recov- God’s eyes. For that reason I would gladly trade places with him for one day. He riage,” said Petition being identified ery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.” does not have the power to bring a country to its knees in gratitude, he has the as TIBBLES-RASMUSSEN, Pro- They urge Catholics to sign a “Jubilee Pledge” developed by Church leaders: power to put the love of God into our hearts. What a feeling it would be to stand in tocol No. SO 99/67, on the Tribu- “As disciples of Jesus in the new millennium, I/we pledge to: front of a congregation and share with them your knowledge of our savior. I would nal docket of the Diocese of San PRAY regularly for greater justice and peace. stand up on the altar and share hope with everyone, to know that I brought back Angelo. LEARN more about Catholic social teaching and its call to protect human life, someone who was questioning their faith would be the greatest reward imagin- You may communicate with the stand with the poor, and care for creation. able. I would not do anything extravagant in my one day as Father Paul. I would Tribunal in person or in writing. REACH across boundaries of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, and disabling lead his life, I would lead Mass, counsel those with troubles, and visit the sick. Failure to communicate within the conditions. I believe that my most difficult task would be counseling. I would have to turn prescribed period of time will be LIVE justly in family life, school, work, the marketplace, and the political off my judgement, something that is used involuntarily. With the patience that considered your consent for the Tri- arena. Father Paul possesses I would be able to look at that person, hold their hand and bunal to continue its proceedings in SERVE those who are poor and vulnerable, sharing more time and talent. listen to everything without one judgement coming to my mind. The trust and the above-named case. GIVE more generously to those in need at home and abroad. respect gained by that experience would help me through any hard times I would Given at the Tribunal of the Dio- ADVOCATE for public policies that protect human life, promote human dig- encounter. If I knew that an entire community placed me up with God, respected cese of San Angelo, on 23rd day of nity, preserve God’s creation, and build peace. me and considered me a role model I would need nothing else in my life. Perhaps December 1999. ENCOURAGE others to work for greater charity, justice, and peace.” that is the exact way that Father Paul feels. In my one day as a priest I would help Signing the Jubilee Pledge is simple. Living it out takes a little more work. bring faith to the lives of everyone I encountered. That would be my main goal Rev. William R. DuBuisson, Please join your local Catholic Charities agency in making it happen for you and and to achieve it would be the greatest experience in my life. I may not achieve OMI, MCL, JCL. our brothers and sisters in need. world peace or rid the world of poverty, but for a small community I would be an Judicial Vicar Fred Kammer, SJ, is president of Catholic Charities USA. incredibly influential person.

PAGE 8 JANUARY 2000 OF INTEREST

la verdad – la verdad revelada por Dios.” Pioneer Missionary Necesitamos hacer un lugar en la mesa familiar para todos, especialmente para los que son “menos” entre nosotros. En la cara de tanta necesidad alrede- Group Marks 150 dor de nosotros, es muy fácil ser inmo- vilizado por la complejidad de proble- mas sociales, los sentimientos de ago- Years Of Serving tamiento en las caras de necesidades humanos interminables, o lo parecido impotente de una persona para cambiar Texas el mundo. Todavía la lección maravillo- sa del Evangelio es el poder de los cuan- By Peter N. Micale, WTA tos para ser levadura para muchos y la 150 years ago on December 3rd, 1849, a small gathering of men from maravilla continua de plantar semillas France arrived in Brownsville as missionaries. They were members of pequeñas de que crecen un bosque. Cada the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. For many years following uno de nosotros podemos empezar ha- their arrival, these men and their replacements rode horseback up and cer el reino de Dios una realidad por down the Rio Grande River and along the coastline into Corpus Christi, nuestros mismos esfuerzos. Ofreciendo nuestro tiempo, talento, y dinero para bringing religion to the area while at the same time helping to settle the trabajar por justicia mas grande es una area. expresión fundamental de amor Cristia- th On December 10 a celebration was held at the Oblate School of The- no y solidaridad social. Todos los que ology campus in San Antonio, marking the 150th anniversary. The cel- tienen mas de lo que necesitan tienen ebration began with Mass at 6 p.m. and a procession to the recently reno- que venir a la ayuda de los pobres. vated Oblate Grotto, where the image of Our Lady of Lourdes on one Para empezar, dos pasos son reco- side of the Grotto has just been complemented by beautiful bronze stat- mendados. Primero, ayuda a una perso- ues of Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe and Juan Diego at the top of the na necesitada: enseña a un niño; visita Grotto Hill. There the Oblates and friends asked for Mary’s continued un anciano enfermo o frágil; ofrece transportación a una persona incapaci- accompaniment and intercession as they move into a new millennium, tado o que esta encerrada en casa; acon- and also remember the more than 270 Oblate Missionary priests and broth- seja a un joven pertubado; o trabaja en ers buried in the adjacent cemetery, who labored in this area over the past la despensa de comida de la iglesia o 150 years. una cocina de sopa. Esto ayuda poner course of human events,” through an act frame garlanded with yellow and white un nombre y cara en Cristo entre los of redemption and triumph over death. flowers. At the crucial moment, he pobres y transformar los que están ayu- “This is the truth which on this night pushed three times on the Holy Door be- FAITH food pantry or a soup kitchen. This helps dando. Segundo, has un tema social un the church wants to pass on to the third fore two deacons pulled it open from to put a name and a face upon Christ from page two asunto especial para ti, sea el hambre, millennium. And may all of you who behind. among the poor and transform the one los sin hogar, la violencia familiar, HIV/ will come after us accept this truth, Then he prayed in silence on the only in the pulpits of our parishes but who is helping. Second, make one so- SIDA, la reforma de justicia criminal, o which has totally changed history,” he threshold before stepping inside and also in the everyday lives of Catholic cial issue a special concern for yourself, la probeza. said. processing up the basilica’s central aisle people? How does the Church gathered whether that be hunger, homelessness, Para vencer la pobreza, necesitamos Like the first shepherds who knelt in for an evening prayer service. In his on the Sabbath act as the people of God family violence, HIV/AIDS, criminal traer este asunto en nuestras oraciones adoration of Jesus, he said, modern homily, the pope recalled that Pope scattered and active every day of the justice reform, or poverty. y culto, necesitamos predicar y enseñar Christians feel amazement and joy 2,000 Martin V had opened a Holy Door for week? How can we best carry the val- To overcome poverty, we need to sobre ello, necesitamos incluir asisten- years afterward, knowing that through the first time at St. John Lateran during ues of our faith into family life, the mar- bring this issue into our prayer and wor- cia y caridad y ser envueltos en acción this unique event they were given a share the 1423 jubilee. ketplace and the public square? ship, we need to preach about it and legislativa y organización comunitaria. in eternal life. “Here is the heart of that special di- Our Holy Father in his visit to St. teach about it, we need outreach and Necesitamos pensar globalmente y ac- On Christmas Day, delivering his mension of the history of salvation, tied Louis, Missouri, encouraged and chal- charity and to become involved in leg- tuar localmente para ayudar a los po- “urbi et orbi” blessing from the central to the grace of jubilees, and the histori- lenged us with his words: “America: if islative action and community organiz- bres y los necesitados. balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope cal memory of the church of Rome,” he you want peace, work for justice. If you ing. We need to think globally and act offered Christmas greetings in 58 lan- said. Some 20,000 people attended the want justice, defend life. If you want life, locally to help the poor and needy. guages and prayed that the new millen- service, 5,000 inside the basilica and embrace the truth – the truth revealed nium would bring an end to the “sense- 15,000 in the piazza outside. by God.” We need to make a place at less use of arms, and the recourse to vio- At an Angelus blessing Dec. 26, the our family table for all, especially for lence and hatred which have doomed pope made a jubilee-year appeal for “the those who are “least” among us. FE POPE individuals, peoples and continents.” rights of the family, of life and of child- In the face of so much need around from page two from page one He invited people to make a spiri- hood.” In particular, he spoke about re- us, it is too easy to be immobilized by tual pilgrimage to the resting places of spect for life from the moment of con- the complexity of social problems, the división entre nuestra fe y los escogi- Outside, watching on giant TV the “victims of brutal conflicts and cruel ception and the importance of marital feelings of exhaustion in the faces of mientos de cada día. En su mensaje screens, some 60,000 pilgrims from all slaughters.” Christ came to bring the and family unity — all of which he said endless human needs, or the seeming “Cristianismo Cada Día,” los Obispos over the world filled most of St. Peter’s Gospel of life, he said, yet recent his- were threatened by an “individualistic” powerlessness of one person to change de los E.U. presentaron las siguientes Square, and the ceremony included live tory shows that men and women have mentality in contemporary culture. the world. Yet the wonderful lesson of preguntas: ¿Como conectamos la ora- satellite links with churches in not always welcomed human life as a The pope also offered prayers for the the Gospel is the power of the few to be ción del Domingo con el trabajo del Bethlehem, Havana, Washington, precious gift. many people suffering from civil strife leaven for the many and the continuing Lunes? ¿Como es el Evangelio procla- Dublin and Soweto, South Africa. The In remarks that appeared aimed at the and discord in the world, from Chechnya wonder of planting small seeds from mado solamente en los púlpitos de nues- three-hour service was broadcast world- many non-Christians in his television au- in southern Russia to the Ivory Coast in which great forests grow. Each of us can tras parroquias pero también en la vida wide. dience, the pope explained in simple western Africa. He urged all sides in begin to make the reign of God a reality diaria de la gente Católica? ¿Como se “It was important for us to see the terms why Christmas is so holy to Chris- such conflicts to have the courage to un- by our own efforts. Volunteering time, porta la Iglesia que se reune en el Sába- pope celebrate the last Mass of the mil- tians: It is a moment when “we recog- dertake genuine dialogue. talent, and money to work for greater do como el pueblo de Dios disperso y lennium here in Rome,” said Rico nize the unmistakable stamp of the one justice is a fundamental expression of activo cada día de la semana? ¿Como Jaranilla, a U.S. Catholic who sat with who is holy, full of mercy and good- Christian love and social solidarity. All podemos llevar los valores de nuestra fe his family in the chilly square for four ness,” he said. who have more than they need must a la vida familiar, al mercado y a la pla- hours before the start of midnight Mass. Later in the day, the pope opened the come to the aid of the poor. za publica? After opening the Holy Door, the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John To get started, two steps are recom- Nuestro Santo Padre en su visita a pope walked up and down the main aisle Lateran, where Pope Boniface VIII de- mended. First, reach out to a person in St. Louis, Missouri, nos animó y desa- to the altar without apparent difficulty, clared the first Holy Year in 1300. Pray need: tutor a child; visit a frail or sick fió con sus palabras: “America: si uste- stopping at times to bless babies in the Following a procession of more than elder; provide transportation to a dis- des quieren paz, trabajen por justicia. Si crowd. 100 monks, priests, bishops and cardi- abled or home bound person; counsel a ustedes quieren justicia, defiendan la In his sermon, he explained how the nals, the pope wavered momentarily as troubled teenager; or work in a parish vida. Si ustedes quieren vida, abrazan birth of Christ had truly “changed the he approached the wooden door, its

JANUARY 2000 PAGE 9 OF INTEREST

bishop Sheen was also director of in late December. “To rediscover the Propagation of the Faith, wrote sacrament of penance means above Ecumenical Prayer Service newspaper columns and conducted all rediscovering the sense of sin, be- a successful convert ministry. His ing aware that some actions and at- sainthood cause is being promoted titudes are not in harmony with the by the Archbishop Sheen Founda- Gospel,” he said. Celebrates 2,000 Years Of tion, based in the archbishop’s home town of El Paso, Ill. Catholic Newspaper Christianity Selects Image Of Opening Holy Door, Contemporary Jesus By Jennifer Lim Catholic News together, one in faith to celebrate what further commitments to common mis- Frail Pope Gives KANSAS CITY, Mo. (CNS) — The Service the reason of the season is.” sion and ministry among Christian de- Strong Spiritual National Catholic Reporter, a weekly HOUSTON (CNS) — Thousands of Colleen Ashton-McKinney, who nominations. independent Catholic newspaper, Houston-area Christians stood on com- cantors at St. Michael and St. Ann Garland Pohl, who chairs the Catho- Witness has chosen a dark-featured indig- mon ground Dec. 27 to celebrate a mu- Catholic churches, had a particular in- lic diocesan Commission for VATICAN CITY (CNS) — He never enous figure as the winner of its con- tual history — two millennia of God’s terest in the ecumenical service. Her in- Ecumenism and Interreligious Affairs, looked so physically weak, yet rarely test seeking an image of Christ for grace in Jesus Christ. terfaith marriage to a Baptist has helped saw Celebrate 2000 as empowering has Pope John Paul II left a stron- the new millennium. The winning Celebrate 2000, an ecumenical her become “more aware of respecting Christians to recognize their collective ger spiritual impression than when image, “Jesus of the People,” was prayer service at Houston’s Compaq others’ faith journeys, customs and tra- potential. he opened the bronze Holy Door in one of nearly 1,700 entries submit- Center, was “a response of the Chris- ditions, and opening myself up to learn- “I hope this would bring people to St. Peter’s Basilica to usher in the ted for the contest from all over the tian community of the Houston area to ing and dialoguing with those tradi- the realization that we are stronger to- Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. Long world. The artist, Janet McKenzie the most important event in human his- tions,” she said. gether than we are as individual ago he let the world know how im- from Island Pond, Vt., said her im- tory,” Bishop Joseph A. Fiorenza of the She saw her involvement in the Cel- churches,” she said. “When we begin to portant this moment was for him: age of Christ was one that simply Catholic Diocese of Galveston-Houston ebrate 2000 Festival Choir as a chance see ourselves as the one church of Jesus From the time of his election in 1978, came through her and that she is told the crowd representing more than to cooperate with other Christian de- Christ, then we begin to understand our he felt destined to be the “pope of “only a vehicle for its existence.” The 35 Christian organizations. nominations in praising God. strength and our power to change the the millennium,” the one who guided figure, modeled by a woman, is an That event was “the moment 2,000 “I hope the Spirit will move people world and to effect the will of God.” the church into its third millennium. oil painting that took the artist ap- years ago when Jesus began to live to break down the walls and the fears proximately three weeks to com- among us as our redeemer and savior they may have of other denominations plete. and gave to those who believe in him a or of being involved with other churches Long Lines At Holy share of his eternal life,” he added. so that we’re not sequestered so much,” National Migration “We are members of many different she said. Week Observance Door Leave Little In Bethlehem, Christian traditions, but tonight we are The Celebrate 2000 Festival Choir Time For Prayer On Catholic Patriarch one in faith in Jesus Christ, who is the and Orchestra inaugurated the evening’s Set For Jan. 3-9 same yesterday, today and forever,” said events with a songfest; 75 members of WASHINGTON (CNS) — The obser- Threshold Urges Reconciliation Bishop Fiorenza, who is president of the the Houston Children’s Choir also sang vance of National Migration Week VATICAN CITY (CNS) — At the start BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — National Conference of Catholic Bish- at the service. Jan. 3-9 offers an opportunity for of Holy Year 2000, long lines at St. In his Christmas Eve homily, Latin- ops. Elements common to the different American Catholics “to recommit Peter’s Basilica’s Holy Door left little rite Patriarch Michel Sabbah of Preparations for Celebrate 2000 be- faith traditions — incense, a paschal ourselves to welcoming the stranger time for prayer on the threshold. “The Jerusalem called for peace and rec- gan in October 1998. The event, initi- candle, a Bible and several crosses — among us,” according to the chair- queue is too fast,” said Carlos onciliation on political, religious and ated by Bishop Fiorenza, was a response were then processed to the center of the man of the U.S. bishops Committee Roberto, a 24-year-old Brazilian personal levels in the Holy Land and to Pope John Paul II’s call to heed the assembly. Clergy and lay leaders entered on Migration. Bishop Nicholas A. Catholic on vacation in Rome. At around the world. “We ask God to ecumenical aspect of the jubilee year the assembly carrying images of those DiMarzio of Camden, N.J., wrote noon Dec. 27, pilgrims passed grant us, with this New Year, justice, celebrations. who have witnessed Gospel living to about the year 2000 theme, “Open through the Holy Door at a rate of peace and reconciliation between With the theme “One Lord, One them. The program continued with a Wide the Doors,” in a letter published about 90 per minute, granting them peoples and religions, here in this Faith, One Baptism,” the service in- service of the Word, a renewal of bap- with a resource packet for parishes, less than a second to pause before land and in the whole world,” he said volved representatives of various con- tismal vows and a commitment to mis- schools and other groups interested being swept in by the crowd. Only a at Mass Dec. 24 in Bethlehem’s gregations and ministries, including the sion and ministry. in celebrating National Migration few people managed to kneel in the Church of the Nativity. “To our Holy Evangelical Lutheran Church, the The Rev. William Lawson, pastor of Week. The resource booklet and a doorway for a reflective moment Land, and to the whole region, we United Methodist Church, United Pen- Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, poster were sent to each Catholic amid the midday rush. “You have to wish and pray so that the peace tecostal Church International, Texas preached the evening’s sermon, which parish, elementary and secondary come early in the morning if you want which started (here) finds a just con- Right to Life, Interfaith Ministries and emphasized Christians’ common mis- school, college and university in the to stop,” said one security official in- clusion for all.” the Perkins School of Theology at sion and salvation through Jesus Christ. country, as well as to those people side the basilica. Southern Methodist University. “Recognize that what Jesus Christ in every diocese with responsibility Auxiliary Bishop Curtis J. Guillory has taught us, as we listen to his words for communications, refugee re- Denver Couple Wins of Galveston-Houston said such an ecu- from his Sermon on the Mount, was that settlement, pastoral care or social Vatican Official Calls Right To Home menical gathering was “a wonderful way it does not matter whether you belong action. to begin the millennium.” to one denomination or another,” he said. Confession Prayer Meetings “It brings about a spirit of unity, a “It doesn’t matter whether you belong Essential Part Of DENVER (CNS) — The city of Den- better understanding between the differ- to a big church or a little church. It Cardinal Oks ver has agreed to pay a Denver ent denominations, as well as different doesn’t matter whether you come with Holy Year couple $30,000 for interfering with racial and ethnic groups,” he added. ancestors from Africa or Mexico or Eu- Initiation Of VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Holy Year their right to hold prayer meetings in “Hopefully, that spirit of unity and hope rope. Sainthood Cause For 2000 offers a unique opportunity for their home. “We are delighted that that is present here tonight will continue “Jesus says that it matters most if you spiritual renewal, but Catholics can the city of Denver has finally recog- throughout the millennium.” are poor in spirit, or meek, or merciful, Archbishop Sheen take full advantage only if they re- nized the First Amendment rights of For participants, the worship service or a peacemaker,” Rev. Lawson added. NEW YORK (CNS) — Cardinal John turn to the sacrament of penance our clients,” said Jay Sekulow, chief offered a unique opportunity to cross de- To extend Jesus’ mission to those in J. O’Connor of New York has given and confess their sins, a top Vatican counsel for the American Center for nominational lines in praising a common need, a collection was gathered to serve provisional approval to initiate the official said. Cardinal Jorge Medina Law and Justice, which filed a fed- savior. the hungry and homeless of Houston. sainthood cause of Archbishop Estevez, prefect of the Congregation eral lawsuit against Denver on be- Emilio and Annie Rodriguez, parish- Because several individuals, businesses Fulton Sheen. Archbishop Sheen, for Divine Worship and the Sacra- half of the couple, who had been or- ioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catho- or participating churches or organiza- who died in 1979, rose to radio and ments, said it was important that the dered by the city to limit the number lic Church, attended the event to tions underwrote the cost of the event, television fame in the 1930s, ’40s jubilee go beyond “external spec- of prayer meetings they held in their heighten their awareness of God’s sav- 100 percent of the donation went to the and ’50s and was a popular speaker tacle” and reach the faithful at the private residence to one per month. ing presence to all believers. poor through the Houston Coalition for at retreats and conferences. His fa- deeper level of individual con- In the midst of the lawsuit against “This celebration is a once-in-a-life- the Homeless and the Houston Food mous television series of talks, called science. An essential element of the city and county of Denver, the time event,” Annie Rodriguez said. “So, Bank. “Life Is Worth Living,” was broadcast participation in the Holy Year is the city agreed to pay Diane and David I thought, in what better way to end the Those in attendance expressed hope Tuesday evenings in prime time on sacrament of penance, he said in an Reiter $30,000, primarily for their year than having all Christ’s followers that the one-time event would lead to ABC-TV from 1951 to 1957. Arch- interview with Catholic News Service legal expenses.

PAGE 10 JANUARY 2000 DIOCESE Midland/Odessa Deanery Youth Event

High School youth from across the Midland/Odessa Deanery gathered on November 13, 1999 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for the 1999 Midland/Odessa Dean- ery Youth Event. The theme for the day focused on issues of Justice and Peace. Keynote presenter, Tom Bright from the Center for Ministry Development in Naugatuck, Connecticut gave two challenging presentations to the young people Following the presentations, the youth were divided into small groups and led through a process entitled “Making A Difference As People Of Faith”. Each group was asked to identify one problem, name four causes that create or directly con- tribute to the problem and then determine possible action steps that can be taken to eliminate or at least lessen the effect of the problem in people’s lives. Some problems identified were: violence; drug/alcohol abuse; suicide; racism/discrimi- nation; teen pregnancy; homelessness. Some of the action steps identified were: communication with parents; more respect for one another and less criticism; more involvement in church and community activities; prayer; education; accep- tance of each other’s culture; self-respect and self-acceptance; be drug and alco- hol free. Youth were also asked to identify a personal change they would take to make a difference for the good. The day also included various community building activities, time for prayer, music, a delicious meal and dance. Bishop Michael Pfeifer was the presider at the Eucharistic Celebration. Bishop To Host Three Catholic Outreach Ecumenical Prayer Services Services Volunteer Of Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity To Be Marked The Year By Father Mark Woodruff • Monday, January 17 at Sacred tian Unity begins on January 18 and Margie Calhoun was rec- Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Heart Cathedral, San Angelo, beginning concludes on January 25. ognized recently as the Odessa at noon. Ministers of other denominations Catholic Outreach Services Bishop Michael D. Pfeifer, OMI, will • Tuesday, January 18 at Holy Fam- will be joining Bishop Pfeifer in the Volunteer of the Year, an- host three ecumenical prayer services to ily Parish in Abilene, beginning at 7 p.m. reading of scripture and prayer in each nounced Pat Dishman, ex- mark the Week of Prayer for Christian • Tuesday, January 25 at St. Eliza- of the services. Among the symbols to ecutive director. Unity later this month. One service will beth Ann Seton Parish in Odessa, be- be used in the services will be the blow- “Margie is our volunteer be held in each of the three Deaneries ginning at 7 p.m. ing of trumpets to herald the Year of Ju- director and contributes an in the Diocese, and members of the Dio- The January 17th service at Sacred bilee and candles to remind participants untold number of hours to cese, along with other Christians, are Heart Cathedral will combine prayers that Christians are called to be the light Catholic Outreach every invited to attend. for Christian Unity with a commemo- of the world. week of the year,” Ms. The services are scheduled as fol- ration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dishman said. “Not only is lows: Officially the Week of Prayer for Chris- she an active volunteer, but she recruits, trains and sched- church, meals, and most of all my many oping the new Deacon Program in the ules volunteers to work in the close and loyal friends. diocese. In my free time I plan to sleep, thrift store and then fills in BARLEY After a period of adjusting to the idea take a walk or go fishing. herself when another volun- of this transfer, I look forward to the next As you can imagine, I will need your from page six teer has to be out.” three years as Director of Vocations and help to be successful in this ministry. In addition to her volun- This is a truly humbling experience. Un- Director of Seminarians. My responsi- While money is important (and there teer contributions for the thrift til their deaths a few years ago, my par- bilities will include visiting all of the will be a special diocesan collection in store, Mrs. Calhoun also as- ents loved to attend Mass with me when parishes and missions in the diocese to February), I ask first for your prayers as sists the executive director I visited home. My mother, a cradle give a vocations presentation. Support- community, family, and individuals for with special projects and in Catholic, and my father, a Protestant, ing the parishes in their continuing ef- vocations. Then encourage your own representing Catholic Outreach throughout the community from time to time. both beamed with pride for all three of forts to develop an awareness of the sons to consider priesthood or diaconate Margie and Millard Calhoun have lived in San Angelo about 27 years. Active their children. Their encouragement was presence of vocations in our own com- and your daughters to consider sister- members of Holy Angels Catholic Church, Margie was a member of the teaching one of the major factors that helped me munities and families; working with hood. Get active in any of the service team for Rite of Christian Information for Adults for four years and was RCIA to endure in my searching to live God’s parish vocations groups and individuals ministries of your own parish. Attend sponsor for three years. She has co-chaired the kitchen detail for the annual church invitation to priesthood. who are interested in learning about di- Mass and receive the Eucharist. Help festival, worked with Helping Hands and served on the environment committee. I have greatly enjoyed my time and ocesan and religious priesthood and sis- Catholics married outside of the Church Community activities include active membership in Beta Sigma Phi and a former friends at St. Lawrence and St. Thomas. terhood; developing deanery vocations to talk to their priests and work through volunteer for Hospice of San Angelo. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun have seven children, I will miss our October parish festival, teams and conduct vocations retreats; the Tribunal to straighten things out. 18 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Catholic Outreach Board Chairman CCD and CYO, daily and weekend developing other vocational activities Prepare our youth for marriage instead Sam Smith presented Mrs. Calhoun with a gift certificate. Masses, meetings with parish organiza- such as Nun-Runs, Days with our Sis- of weddings. Pray that people let go of tions, our sports teams, the peace and ters, and visits to parishes and seminar- anger and help them to seek reconcilia- solitude of living in the country, the sup- ies; and getting to know, visit, and sup- tion with the Church and others. Then While I will work for vocations to priest- and at Mass when I come to your par- port I received from so many parishio- port our current seminarians. I will also pray for all of us who will be working hood and sisterhood, we all have the vo- ish. I can be reached by phone at 651- ners each week and in my times of need, continue to be a judge on the Marriage on vocations in our Diocese. The stron- cations to build up God’s Church in our 7500, or by mail at: P.O. Box 1829, San our community coming together at wed- Tribunal, be a member of the Engaged ger we are as family and parish, the Diocese. Angelo, TX, 76902. dings and funerals, the hard work of the Encounter Team and the Presbyteral stronger will be our response to God’s I will see you whenever I break away May God bless you. Altar Society in taking care of the Council, and serve on the team devel- invitation to vocations in His Church. from my desk at the Diocesan center,

JANUARY 2000 PAGE 11 OF INTEREST National Catholic Youth Conference By Lesli Leifeste St. Ambrose Parish The theme for the recent National Catholic Youth Con- ference in St. Louis, MO. November 18-21, 1999 was [email protected]. Among the participants were (Left) Participants in the National Catholic Youth Conference 110 youth and adults from the Diocese of San Angelo. Par- in St. Louis, MO, November 18-21, 1999 From the Diocese ticipants came from: Holy Family - Abilene; Our Lady of of San Angelo. Shown are youth from Holy Family - Abilene, Lourdes - Andrews; Good Shepherd - Crane; St. Stephen’s Our Lady of Lourdes - Andrews, Good Shepherd - Crane, St. Stephen’s - Midland, Holy Angels and St. Joseph and - Midland; Holy Angels, St. Joseph, St. Mary - San Angelo; St. Mary - San Angelo, and St. Ambrose - Wall. St. Ambrose - Wall. Bishop Michael Pfeifer also attended the conference. In conjunction with the NCYC was the Youth Congress on Scripture. Brandon McAuliffe (Holy Family - Abilene) and Lesli Leifeste (St Ambrose - Wall) participated. Lesli submitted the following of her experience of the congress and conference: Recently I attended the National Catholic Youth Con- ference in St. Louis, Missouri, with other youth from the San Angelo Diocese. While I was there, I served on the National Youth Congress, attend it. l feel that everyone who at- along with approximately 300 other delegates from different dioceses from all tended grew stronger in his or her own over the country. In the Congress, we discussed various scripture readings with faith as a result. We also learned that we, bishops and worked on applying the scripture in our lives. I really enjoyed being the youth of our country, are not only on the Youth Congress because I became friends with people from other states that the church of the future; we are the I would never have met otherwise. Outside of the congress, we spent our time church of today. going to workshops, listening to Christian bands, gazing at exhibits, and sight seeing. We heard from many different inspirational speakers, including a girl from (Right) Participants in the Youth Congress on Scripture, “Open Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, who spoke about overcoming the Wide the Gates: Young People tragedy her community faced through the love of God. I got a chance to see and Are a Key”, shown are Brandon experience many things that were new to me. I saw 22,000 young people profess- McAuliffe (Holy Family - Abilene), ing their faith, priests dancing on the stage, and nuns playing Frisbee. Overall, I Bishop Michael Pfeiffer, OMI, and thoroughly enjoyed the conference and appreciate the fact that I had the chance to Lesli Lefeste (St. Ambrose - Wall).

Trudo’s Celebrates Twenty Years with Service Merchandise. Carianne the kitchen, but alas, that’s progress. Lovell, a student at ASU and from Ruth still comes in every day to help The turn of the century will mark the Mrs. Englert was closing her store Motto: “Small enough to know you, big Odessa, is the part time member of the and enjoys chatting with old friends. 20th anniversary of Trudo’s Religious downtown they decided to open a Reli- enough to serve you.” The store became staff. The year 1999 saw the implemen- Small touches such as the children’s play Store. Frank and Ruth Trudo came to gious store and carry a few items to sup- the largest supplier for the Catholic faith tation of technology with computeriza- area, good customer service, expanding San Angelo in 1966 after Frank retired ply the needs of the Catholic faithful. from Lubbock to San Antonio and Aus- tion of the store and thus added Tricia inventory, dedication of the staff and from the Air Force. Frank was ordained They opened on January 2, 1980 uti- tin to El Paso. Affleck as the computer expert and hard work will keep Trudo’s around for a Deacon at the Cathedral Chruch of the lizing the front room of their home at During this period of time, Frank bookkeeper. many years to come. Sacred Heart in 1976 where he served 1705 Kenwood Dr. Encouraged first by continued his full schedule of duties for We’re sure the older customers miss The next time you’re in San Angelo until his death. When they learned that Bishop Leven and later Bishops the Diaconate and the running of the the smell of freshly baked cookies or a or just passing by, stop in and see what Fiorenzo and store fell mostly on the shoulders of pot of chili simmering on the stove in this West Texas success story is all about. Pfeifer, Frank and Ruth. Ruth kept adding In 1991 Frank became seriously ill more and more to and with Ruth taking care of him, her their inventory. 96 year old mother and running the store Their small busi- it was apparent that it was time to retire. ness ministry grew That same year, while visiting, their to larger propor- daughter Pat and her husband Jim tions than ever Fennell decided to buy the business and imagined and it lit- keep it in the family. They went back to erally consumed Arizona; Pat gave her notice with every bit of space in Walgreens and moved in January of their home. 1992. Jim sold his Chiropractic practice It wasn’t long and arrived in March. Frank passed away before small outly- one week later on March 21st. ing parishes re- After several months of learning the Pat Fennell Behind The Counter quested they come business they were able to rent the build- out to Sunday ing at 624 West Avenue N, only one masses and display block from the house. Their prayers had some of their stock. been answered. After renovation they This led to many a moved the store in October of 1992. Saturday night with They added an 800 number for bet- Ruth packing until ter customer service and business pros- 1 or 2 am and leav- pered even more and they purchased the ing at 5 am to ar- building on January 3, 1995. With two rive, set up, sell, expansions, one in 1996 and the other pack up and return in 1998, the store was complete. Frank home. Dedication and Ruth’s dream had been fulfilled. but no rest!! There are now two full time employ- This was a ees, both of whom speak Spanish, and “Mom & Pop” op- it’s a great help to a lot of the custom- eration in the best ers. First was Berta Torres who had been A little more than half of U.S. adults consider themselves to be religious, Mrs. Bea Barron and Pat Checking the Inventory of traditions and with Nathan’s Jewelers for 25 years. while 30 percent say they are spiritual, but not religious. (CNS graphic by Religious Cards. Trudo’s adopted the Next came Bea Barron who had been Anthony De Feo) (Dec. 30, 1999)

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